Navigation system

ABSTRACT

The technology disclosed herein includes a navigation system for a visually impaired person. The navigation system may include a plurality of fixtures, a plurality of installations, wherein each installation is electronically connected to a fixture, and an electronic device, the electronic device configured to receive auditory or tactile signals from each installation and produce a signal indicative of a fixture location.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of pending U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/605,713 entitled“NAVIGATION SYSTEM,” filed on May 25, 2017, which claims the benefit ofexpired U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/342,002,entitled “RESTROOM NAVIGATION SYSTEM,” filed on May 26, 2016, all ofwhich are specifically incorporated by reference for all it disclosesand teaches.

BACKGROUND

There are approximately 10,000,000 people in the United States livingwith vision impairment. People with vision impairments face challengeswhen navigating public places, including restroom facilities. Forexample, public restroom layouts have various designs. A person withvision impairment may have difficulty locating an unoccupied toilet, asink, a soap dispenser, paper towels, a trash can, and an exit. Thedifficulties in navigating public facilities can prevent people withvision impairments from going to public places.

SUMMARY

The disclosed navigation system provides a plurality of installationselectronically connected to fixtures in a room. When activated, eachinstallation provides a user with audio or tactile feedback to locate aspecific corresponding fixture. In some implementations, audio ortactile signals are communicated to a user via a remote, a smart phone,or a cane. In some implementations, the navigation system may alsoprovide a user with an occupancy status of a specific fixture. In someimplementations, an installation pathway transmits signals regarding alocation and/or occupancy of fixtures.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. Other implementations are also described and recitedherein. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. These andvarious other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading ofthe following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The described technology is best understood from the following DetailedDescription describing various implementations read in connection withthe accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overhead view of an example navigation system installed ina public restroom.

FIG. 2 is an overhead view of an example navigation system installed ina public restroom.

FIG. 3 is an example receiver circuit in a navigation system.

FIG. 4 is an example receiver circuit in a navigation system.

FIG. 5 is an example navigation circuit in a navigation system.

FIG. 6 is an example facility page circuit in a navigation system.

FIG. 7 a block diagram of a computer system suitable for implementingone or more aspects of a navigation system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of example operations for locating a fixture witha navigation system.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of example operations for of determining anoccupancy status of a fixture with a navigation system

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the presenttechnology may be realized by reference to the figures, which aredescribed in the remaining portion of the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, toone skilled in the art that the present invention may be practicedwithout some of these specific details. For example, while variousfeatures are ascribed to particular implementation, it should beappreciated that the features described with respect to oneimplementation may be incorporated with other implementations as well.Similarly, however, no single feature or features of any describedimplementation should be considered essential to the invention, as otherimplementations of the invention may omit such features.

The disclosed technology includes a navigation system to assist a visionimpaired person in locating various fixtures. Fixtures may be defined asappliances, utilities, and other components (e.g., a toilet stall, atoilet, a urinal, a sink, a soap dispenser, a trash can, etc.). Thenavigation system may be used in a public restroom or any otherenvironment where a visually impaired individual may need assistance innavigation. In some implementations, the navigation system may beimplemented in an environment other than a restroom (e.g., an officebuilding, a street, a zoo, public transportation, etc.).

The navigation system disclosed herein may include a sensor system thatalerts the user to specific locations of the various appliances andcomponents, and whether the various appliances and components are inuse. For example, a user can navigate through a public restroom from anentry door to an unoccupied urinal or toilet stall to a sink, to a soapdispenser, to a hand dryer, and exit the restroom via auditory ortactile communication signals. The communication signals may include avariety of methods, including an audio alert or a vibration from anapparatus worn or held by the user. As a result, the vision impaireduser of the navigation system can use a public restroom withoutassistance and without encountering obstacles.

In some implementations, a user may trigger a switch affixed to an entryway of a room or location. For example, the user may trigger a switch ona key fob or on a device, such as a smart phone, held by the user as theuser approaches a certain location. Communication paths, such as radiofrequency, between the key fob or other apparatus and sensors activatenotifications to the user. A device may be equipped with a non-line ofsight communication receiver such as RF or IR, to receive an activationsignal.

In some implementations, the navigation system may include an infraredsensor or other proximity sensor, which determines if a component (e.g.,a toilet, a urinal, a sink, etc.) is occupied. If the component isoccupied, a sound tone will activate and notify the user of theoccupancy status. For example, a urinal may signal one beep to notify auser of its location, and two beeps if the urinal is occupied.

Determining whether a component is occupied may be determined by actualuse of the component (e.g., a sink turned on) or a sensor determininganother user in a certain proximity of the component. In someimplementations, determining a component is occupied may result in anauditory or tactile communication to the user or a passive infraredsensor (PIR) interrupting a signal and preventing feedback to the user.Specifically, in some implementations, an audio signal may only notify auser when a component is available.

The feedback or notifications may be a plurality of different kinds ofauditory or sensory feedback specific to each component in theenvironment. Audio signals and sensory signals may be communicated in avariety of methods. For example, a tone, beep, ring, words (e.g.,“toilet available,” “sink available,” etc.), or other auditorynotification may transmit sounds to the user. In another example,vibrations in a device or apparatus may alert a user to certain signals.Other forms and combinations of auditory and sensory feedback arecontemplated.

FIG. 1 is an overhead view of an example navigation system 100 installedin a public restroom. When a user enters the restroom, the user maytrigger the navigation system 100 to start by flipping a switch on apanel 102. The panel 102 may also include a Braille map of the restroomfor easier navigation. In some implementations, the navigation system100 may turn on automatically when the user enters the restroom with acorresponding device (not shown).

In some implementations, the navigation system may be include other autofeatures or be incorporated into other auto features in a restroom, suchas an auto flush feature or auto water on/off at a sink. For example, ifa sink automatically turns off, a sensor may identify the end of use ofthe sink and send a notification signal that a sink is available foruse.

When the user triggers the navigation system 100 to start, a speaker orother device incorporated in a utility installation or into the user'scorresponding device produces audio signals. A utility installation maybe a sink installation 106, a soap installation 108, a paper towelinstallation 110, an exit installation 112, etc. Other installations arecontemplated. For example, installations may be added for air poweredhand dryers, personal hygiene product dispensers, and any utilities orcomponents found in a restroom. In some implementations, a urinalinstallation may be included in the navigation system.

Audio signals produced by a utility installation may be a specificsound, such as a sequence of sounds or a specific ring tone. Forexample, a toilet installation 104 may make a first sound (e.g., onebeep). A sink installation 106 may make a second sound (e.g., twobeeps). In some implementations, the installations may make distinctivesounds. In one implementation, the sound may be the name of the locationin the bathroom. For example, the sink installation 106 may simply speakthe word “sink.” In another implementation, each installation would havea separate tone that would be easily differentiated from the othertones. In some implementations, the sounds can occur repeatedly. In someimplementations, the sounds occur in sequence while the user is in therestroom.

An installation may include a proximity sensor that determines whether autility or component is available or occupied. For example, the toiletinstallation 104 may include a proximity sensor that communicates to theuser that a stall is available occupied. To indicate that a stall isavailable, a second tone may follow the first tone. Alternatively, thecircuit in the toilet installation 104 may include a PIR sensor tointerrupt the normal audio signal if facility is in use. In thisimplementation, the navigation system 100 will continue in a normal modeafter the proximity sensor registers that the stall is no longeroccupied.

In some implementations, the sink installation 106 may include a sensorto assist the user in locating a sink. In some implementations, thesensor may provide audio signals for location only or for occupancy, aswell. If the sensor indicates that the sink is occupied by use or by aproximity sensor, the sink installation 106 may play a distinct audiosignal or not have any audio signal.

In some implementations, the paper towel installation 110 may include asensor to sense whether there are paper towels in a paper toweldispenser. If the sensor indicates that there are no paper towels, thepaper towel installation 110 may play a distinct audio signal toindicate to the user that the paper towel dispenser is empty or not haveany audio signal. In some implementations, a soap installation 108 mayinclude a sensor to sense whether there is soap in a soap dispenser. Ifthe sensor indicates that there is no soap, the paper towel installation110 may play a distinct audio signal to indicate to the user that thepaper towel dispenser is empty or not have any audio signal.

In some implementations, the audio signals may continue until the userterminates the system 100. The user may terminate (or end) the system byactively initiating an end operation within the navigation system 100via an exit installation 112 or automatically by when leaving therestroom.

FIG. 2 is an overhead view of a public restroom equipped with a remotelytriggered navigation system 200. The user has a remote 230 to triggerthe remotely triggered navigation system 200 when a user enters therestroom. In some implementations, the remote 230 has buttons that theuser can press to locate specific utilities or components in thebathroom. Each button corresponds to a specific fixture installation.For example, the remote 230 in FIG. 2 has a toilet locator button 214, asink locator button 216, a soap dispenser locator button 218, a papertowel dispenser location button 220, and an exit locator button 222,each corresponding to a toilet installation 204, a sink installation206, a soap installation 208, a paper towel installation 210, and anexit installation 212. In some implementations, a remote, cane, or otherdevice held by the user may have a panic button in case of emergency orother required assistance.

When the user enters the restroom, the user presses the toilet locatorbutton 214. The toilet installation 204 may include a receiving circuitand a speaker. In some implementations, the speaker may be located in adevice carried by a user, such as the remote or a smart phone.

When the toilet installation 204 receives a signal from the remote 230,the speaker plays a specified sound. The sound may be a tone differentfrom other installation tones, or a sequence of sounds or beeps. Inanother implementation, the toilet sound is simply the word “toilet.” Ifthe navigation system 200 is installed in a men's restroom, the toiletlocator button 214 may also trigger an installation on a urinal. Inanother implementation, the remote 230 may include a separate button forthe urinal in the men's restroom.

The toilet installation 204 or other installations may also include aproximity sensor to determine whether the installation is occupied, andsend feedback notifying a user of an occupied status. In someimplementations, the proximity sensor will determine a fixture isoccupied and prevent feedback to the user, or guide the user only to anunoccupied stall or urinal. For example, if all the toilets in therestroom are occupied, when the user presses the toilet locator button214, either no toilet sound will play or a different sound will playsignifying that the toilets are all occupied. The user will continue topress the toilet locator button 214 until the normal toilet sound plays,indicating that there is an unoccupied toilet.

After using the toilet or urinal, the user may press a sink locatorbutton 216. The sink locator button 216 signals the sink installation206 to make the designated sink sound. In one implementation, the sinkinstallation 206, or other installations, include a proximity sensor sothat the sink sound will stop playing once the user reaches the sink andso that the sink sound will not play if another person is using thesink.

In some implementations, the navigation system 200 may have locatorbuttons for a sink installation 206, a soap installation 208, and apaper towel installation 210. The remote 230 may be linked so that thesoap installation 208 plays an audio signal automatically after the sinkis turned on and the paper towel installation 210 plays an audio signalautomatically after the sink is turned off. Additionally, the papertowel installation 210 may include a sensor to sense whether there arepaper towels in the paper towel dispenser. If the sensor indicates thatthere are no paper towels, the paper towel installation 210 will play adistinct audio signal to indicate to the user that the paper toweldispenser is empty.

After using the sink, soap dispenser, and paper towels, the user maypress the exit locator button 222 to trigger an exit installation 212.The exit installation 212 may make a designated exit sound, which isdistinct from the sounds made by the other installations. In someimplementations, the navigation system may deactivate automaticallyafter a predetermined amount of time.

Installations may be added for air powered hand dryers, personal hygieneproduct dispensers, and any other restroom components. Additionally, inanother implementation, the user may activate the remotely triggerednavigation system using a smart phone and smart phone applicationinstead of the remote 230. In some implementations, a user may haveheadphones attached to a device, such as the remote or a smartphone, sothat only the user can hear the audio sounds. In another implementation,the remote may vibrate in response to the user pressing any locatorbutton, with the vibrations becoming more intense as the user getscloser to the corresponding installation.

The remote, cane, device, or other components of the navigation systemmay be powered by batteries, rechargeable batteries with a photo solarcell installed to recharge, reducing or eliminating the need forperiodic replacements of batteries or hardwiring to a power source. Thenavigation system components may also be incorporated into software anddownloaded onto a user's smart phone.

FIG. 3 shows an example receiver circuit 300 in a navigation system usedfor a toilet and a urinal. In some implementations, the example receivercircuit 400 may be used with other fixtures.

The receiver circuit 300 includes: a PIR sensor 302, a transistor 304, aRF relay 306, and a buzzer 308. The PIR sensor 302 senses motion,grounding the circuit if there is motion caused by another person usingthe toilet or urinal so that the toilet or urinal sound will not play.If the PIR sensor 302 does not sense any motion, the RF relay 306receives a signal from a remote (e.g. remote 230 in FIG. 2), whichactivates the buzzer 308.

In some implementations, feedback may be received from infrared sensordetectors using Bluetooth to audio. There may be auditory feedback froman ultrasonic sensor package identifying certain distances to obstacles.An RFID may identify the location of fixtures and a tone varying inpitch may occur correlating to the general direction of the fixtures.The closer the user (and the remote, smart phone, cane, or other device)is to the fixture, the higher the pitch. In some implementations, theremay be a voice synthesizer module and a language file incorporated intothe navigation system.

FIG. 4 shows an example receiver circuit 400 in a navigation system usedfor a soap dispenser and a towel dispenser. In some implementations, theexample receiver circuit 400 may be used with other fixtures.

The receiver circuit 400 includes: a PIR sensor 402, a transistor 404, aRF relay 406, a timer circuit 408, and a buzzer 410. The PIR sensor 402senses motion, grounding the circuit if there is motion caused byanother person at the sink so that the sink sound will not play. If thePIR sensor 402 does not sense any motion, the RF relay 406 receives asignal from a remote (e.g. remote 230 in FIG. 2), which activates thebuzzer 410. The timer circuit 408 controls the timing between the soapand paper towel sounds playing. The frequencies received by the receivercircuit 300 in FIG. 3 and receiver circuit 400 in FIG. 4 are distinctfrequencies so that each button on the remote 212 activates only onereceiver circuit.

In some implementations, feedback may be received from infrared sensordetectors using Bluetooth to audio. There may be auditory feedback froman ultrasonic sensor package identifying certain distances to obstacles.An RFID may identify the location of fixtures and a tone varying inpitch may occur correlating to the general direction of the fixtures.The closer the user (and the remote, smart phone, cane, or other device)is to the fixture, the higher the pitch. In some implementations, theremay be a voice synthesizer module and a language file incorporated intothe navigation system.

It is contemplated that various frequencies may be used, depending onthe implementation. For example, different countries utilize differentfrequencies. The disclosed technology may be used with the requiredfrequency for a desired location.

FIG. 5 is an example navigation circuit 500 in a navigation system for acane. In some implementations, the example navigation circuit 500 may beincluded in a module in the cane. For example, the module may be mountedin an end of the case for communications with an installation pathway.The example navigation circuit 500 communicates with the installationpathway, which is electrically connected to fixture installations.Signals can be transmitted from the fixture installations regarding thelocation and/or occupancy status of the fixtures via the installationpathway to the cane.

In some implementations, the installations pathway is an electrical pathin the room between the cane, a remote, a smart phone or other device.In some implementations, the installations pathway is an electrical pathlocated on the floor of the room, which provides an actual pathway forwhich a user to follow as the user navigates around the room. Forexample, the installation pathway may be a pattern of lines or texturedflooring. An installation pathway may include radio frequencyidentification (RFID). A sensor may sense either the pattern, colors,signals, tags, or texture, for example, and communicate signals ordirections in the pathway to a user via auditory or tactile feedback.

The circuit 500 in FIG. 5 includes: at least one IR sensor 501, acomputer processing unit 502, a vibratory motor 503, and abuzzer/speaker 504. The IR sensor 501 senses changes in light from theinstallation pathway (not shown) which are input to the CPU 502. Apattern of lines varying in color which are identified by the infraredsensors and in turn provide feedback through the processor to thevibrating motor and/or Bluetooth audio.

The CPU 502 activates a vibratory motor 503 and/or a buzzer/speaker 504as tactile and/or audio feedback, respectively, depending upon readingsand programming from the CPU 502. The tactile and/or audio feedbackprovide information to the user specific to location and/or occupancy offixtures to enable to user to navigate around the room.

FIG. 6 is an example facility page circuit 600 in a navigation systemfor identifying fixtures using RFID tags in conjunction with receiverunits, such as the receiver units in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The facilitypage circuit 600 includes: a transmitter 601, a computer processing unit602, and four or more buttons 603. The buttons select a specific utilityor component to activate, identifying an RFID tag at a fixture. Feedbackis received by audio signal and/or tactile feedback through acane-mounted device, such as the one described in FIG. 5. and/or thereceivers described in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. An RFID may identify thelocation of fixtures and a tone varying in pitch may occur correlatingto the general direction of the fixtures. The closer the user (and theremote, smart phone, cane, or other device) is to the fixture, thehigher the pitch. In some implementations, there may be a voicesynthesizer module and a language file incorporated into the navigationsystem.

Referring to FIG. 7, a block diagram of a computer system 700 suitablefor implementing one or more aspects of a navigation system is shown.The computer system 700 is capable of executing a computer programproduct embodied in a tangible computer-readable storage medium toexecute a computer process. Data and program files may be input to thecomputer system 700, which reads the files and executes the programstherein using one or more processors. Some of the elements of a computersystem 700 are shown in FIG. 4 wherein a processor 702 is shown havingan input/output (I/O) section 704, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 706,and a memory section 708. There may be one or more processors 702, suchthat the processor 702 of the computing system 700 comprises a singlecentral-processing unit 706, or a plurality of processing units. Theprocessors may be single core or multi-core processors. The computingsystem 700 may be a conventional computer, a distributed computer, orany other type of computer. The described technology is optionallyimplemented in software loaded in memory 708, a disc storage unit 712,and/or communicated via a wired or wireless network link 414 on acarrier signal (e.g., Ethernet, 3G wireless, 5G wireless, LTE (Long TermEvolution)) thereby transforming the computing system 700 in FIG. 7 to aspecial purpose machine for implementing the described operations.

The I/O section 704 may be connected to one or more user-interfacedevices (e.g., a keyboard, a touch-screen display unit 718, etc.) or adisc storage unit 712. Computer program products containing mechanismsto effectuate the systems and methods in accordance with the describedtechnology may reside in the memory section 704 or on the storage unit712 of such a system 700.

A communication interface 724 is capable of connecting the computersystem 400 to an enterprise network via the network link 714, throughwhich the computer system can receive instructions and data embodied ina carrier wave. When used in a local area networking (LAN) environment,the computing system 700 is connected (by wired connection orwirelessly) to a local network through the communication interface 724,which is one type of communications device. When used in awide-area-networking (WAN) environment, the computing system 700typically includes a modem, a network adapter, or any other type ofcommunications device for establishing communications over the wide areanetwork. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relativeto the computing system 700 or portions thereof, may be stored in aremote memory storage device. It is appreciated that the networkconnections shown are examples of communications devices for and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers may beused.

In an example implementation, a user interface software module, acommunication interface, an input/output interface module and othermodules may be embodied by instructions stored in memory 708 and/or thestorage unit 712 and executed by the processor 702. Further, localcomputing systems, remote data sources and/or services, and otherassociated logic represent firmware, hardware, and/or software, whichmay be configured to assist in navigation. A navigation system may beimplemented using a general purpose computer and specialized software(such as a server executing service software to a workstation orclient), a special purpose computing system and specialized software(such as a mobile device or network appliance executing servicesoftware), or other computing configurations. In addition, navigationparameters may be stored in the memory 708 and/or the storage unit 712and executed by the processor 702.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of example operations 800 for locating a fixturewith a navigation system. An operation 802 activates a navigation systemin a restroom. An operation 804 determines a location of a fixture inthe restroom from a fixture installation electronically connected to thefixture. An operation 806 communicates the location of the fixture fromthe fixture installation to an electronic device via an installationpathway. An operation 808 provides sensory feedback to a user regardingthe location of the fixture.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of example operations 900 for determining anoccupancy status of a fixture with a navigation system. An operation 902activates a navigation system in a restroom.

An operation 904 determines an occupancy status of a fixture in therestroom with a proximity sensor. If operation 904 determines that thefixture is not occupied, then an operation 906 communicates theavailability of the fixture. The proximity sensor sends a signal to anelectronic device via a fixture installation and via the fixtureinstallation and the installation pathway. The device provides auditoryor tactile feedback to a user and the user is notified of the fixtureavailability. The sensory feedback to the user may occur via at leastone of a cane, a remote, a smart phone, or other device.

If operation 904 determines that the fixture is occupied, then anoperation 908 interrupts any feedback signals to the user, for example,via a passive infrared sensor. By preventing the feedback signals, theuser receives no notifications, and thus, learns that the fixture is notavailable.

The implementations of the invention described herein are implemented aslogical steps in one or more computer systems. The logical operations ofthe present invention are implemented (1) as a sequence ofprocessor-implemented steps executed in one or more computer systems and(2) as interconnected machine or circuit modules within one or morecomputer systems. The implementation is a matter of choice, dependent onthe performance requirements of the computer system implementing theinvention. Accordingly, the logical operations making up theimplementations of the invention described herein are referred tovariously as operations, steps, objects, or modules. Furthermore, itshould be understood that logical operations may be performed in anyorder, adding and omitting as desired, unless explicitly claimedotherwise or a specific order is inherently necessitated by the claimlanguage.

Data storage and/or memory may be embodied by various types of storage,such as hard disk media, a storage array containing multiple storagedevices, optical media, solid-state drive technology, ROM, RAM, andother technology. The operations may be implemented in firmware,software, hard-wired circuitry, gate array technology and othertechnologies, whether executed or assisted by a microprocessor, amicroprocessor core, a microcontroller, special purpose circuitry, orother processing technologies. It should be understood that a writecontroller, a storage controller, data write circuitry, data read andrecovery circuitry, a sorting module, and other functional modules of adata storage system may include or work in concert with a processor forprocessing processor-readable instructions for performing asystem-implemented process.

For purposes of this description and meaning of the claims, the term“memory” means a tangible data storage device, including non-volatilememories (such as flash memory and the like) and volatile memories (suchas dynamic random access memory and the like). The computer instructionseither permanently or temporarily reside in the memory, along with otherinformation such as data, virtual mappings, operating systems,applications, and the like that are accessed by a computer processor toperform the desired functionality. The term “memory” expressly does notinclude a transitory medium such as a carrier signal, but the computerinstructions can be transferred to the memory wirelessly.

The above specification, examples, and data provide a completedescription of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of theinvention. Since many implementations of the invention can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, theinvention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. Furthermore,structural features of the different implementations may be combined inyet another implementation without departing from the recited claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for navigation, comprising: a pluralityof fixtures; a plurality of installations, wherein each installation iselectronically connected to a fixture, wherein at least one installationis configured to determine an occupancy status of a fixture; and anelectronic device, the electronic device configured to receive signalsfrom each installation and produce a signal indicative of a fixturelocation.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fixturesincludes at least one of a toilet, a urinal, a sink, and a hand dryingapparatus.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least oneinstallation includes a proximity sensor configured to determine theoccupancy status of a fixture.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein theelectronic device is at least one of a key fob, a smart phone, and acane.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein a user of the electronic devicereceives at least one of an auditory signal and a tactile signal.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein the auditory signal is at least one of atone, word, and beep.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the sensorysignal is a vibration.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronicdevice is further configured to receive a signal from the installationregarding the occupancy status of a fixture and produce a signalindicative of the occupancy status.
 9. The system of claim 8, furthercomprising: a sensor to interrupt sensory feedback to a user todetermine-that the fixture is occupied.
 10. A navigation systemcomprising: a plurality of fixtures; an installation pathway including aplurality of installations, wherein each installation corresponds to afixture, and wherein at least one installation is configured todetermine an occupancy status of a fixture; and a device configured toreceive a signal from the installation pathway and produce a signalindicative of a fixture location.
 11. The navigation system of claim 10,wherein the plurality of fixtures includes at least one of a toilet, aurinal, a sink, and a hand drying apparatus.
 12. The navigation systemof claim 10, wherein the device is further configured to receive asignal from the installation pathway regarding the occupancy status of afixture and produce a signal indicative of the occupancy status.
 13. Thenavigation system of claim 10, wherein the installation pathway is apath between the plurality of installations and the plurality offixtures.
 14. The navigation system of claim 10, wherein theinstallation pathway is data that guides a user via the device throughthe room.
 15. The navigation system of claim 10, wherein a user of thenavigation system receives at least one of an auditory signal and atactile signal.
 16. The navigation system of claim 10, wherein at leastone of the plurality of installations includes a proximity sensorconfigured to determine the occupancy status of a fixture.
 17. A methodcomprising: activating a navigation system; determining a location of afixture with the navigation system; communicating the location of thefixture from the fixture installation to an electronic device via aninstallation pathway; determining an occupancy status of the fixturewith a proximity sensor; communicating the occupancy status of thefixture using the proximity sensor with an electronic device via afixture installation and the installation pathway; and providing sensoryfeedback to a user regarding the location of the fixture and theoccupancy status of the fixture.
 18. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising: interrupting the sensory feedback to the user via a passivesensor responsive to determining that the fixture is occupied.
 19. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising: providing sensory feedback tothe user via at least one of a device, a remote, or a smart phone. 20.The method of claim 17, wherein the fixture includes at least one of atoilet, a urinal, a sink, and a hand drying apparatus.